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This new Zaxby’s location will be better than the old, owners say

Brothers T.J., left, and Greg McLeroy gather up plans from their newest Zaxby's location Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019, as they prepare to open the restaurant on Feb. 25. The new location in New Holland is replacing the Zaxby's location on Riverside Drive, which closed earlier this month.
- photo by Scott Rogers

The Zaxby’s that closed at 995 Riverside Drive will receive its revamped replacement at a new Gainesville location Monday, Feb. 25.

People can find this recently built Zaxby’s at 1977 Textile Way, off of Jesse Jewell Parkway across from Kroger.

Unlocking its doors early at 10:30 a.m. Monday, the first 100 customers will receive a Fanatic Pack at the grand opening.

Taking the form of a deck of cards, the Fanatic Pack entitles people to a year of free Zaxby’s meals. The individual cards in the deck are valid for one week on specified dates.

When the new Zaxby's restaurant in New Holland opens Monday, the first 100 customers will receive a Fanatic Pack in the form of a deck of 52 cards that entitles people to a year of free Zaxby’s meals.
- photo by Scott Rogers

Brothers Greg and T.J. McLeroy, who are cousins to Zaxby’s founder Zach McLeroy, said they decided to opt for a new building instead of remodeling the Riverside business because it didn’t fall in line with their future plans.

“It was going to be a total scrape and rebuild,” T.J. McLeroy said. “It really didn’t fit the building style that we wanted to put there. With all the expansion going on there (around Textile Way), it’s kind of like a no-brainer.”

Greg McLeroy said the new Zaxby’s will almost double the previous restaurant’s seating, now accommodating up to 90 people.

“We’re hoping that we’ve provided a place that they can come in and relax,” T.J. McLeroy said. “Obviously it’s going to be a much better atmosphere than Riverside. We could only fit so many people in that store.”

With rustic decor and a barn-like exterior, Greg McLeroy said the new Zaxby’s is one of few to take on the company’s farm-style building design.

Starting from scratch, construction of the restaurant began in October. T.J. said because of rain delays, the building took longer than expected.

The brothers said they plan to employ a 65-person staff at the Textile Way location.

The restaurant will include new equipment that the co-owners expect will cut down on customers’ wait-time.

“I think they’re going to love the new style and the new decor,” T.J. McLeroy said. “We’ve put a lot of our sweat and blood into this. We have state-of-the-art equipment to try to serve the community better.”

Brothers T.J., left, and Greg McLeroy inspect their pristine kitchen Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019, at their newest Zaxby's location in New Holland. The new location will replace the aging Zaxby's location on Riverside Drive, which closed earlier this month.
- photo by Scott Rogers